Jul 30, 2015

I participated in the Amwell blog program as a member of One2One Network. I received compensation but all opinions are my own.

How many of you have time to go to the doctor when you're sick? Even better question, how many of you can afford it? I know when we go for my husband, it's an all day affair. With no exaggeration, a 2 hour and 15 min drive there, usual double booking, another 2 hour drive home. The expense aside from the doctor visit itself is absurd: gas, lunch, snacks; then the priceless stuff: irritation, road rage, and extreme patience.

The most awesome thing ever came to my attention the other day. Although I can't avoid the hubby's doctor visits because it is a specialist, I have found a way to get a doctor visit for myself with nearly no hassle. So can you! Here is how:

American Well (Amwell) is the nation’s largest telehealth company, connecting people with board certified, licensed doctors for live online visits, immediately – day or night. They're available on both mobile or desktop. Perfect for minor illnesses and injuries, general health and wellness concerns, prescription refills, and chronic condition management, Amwell employs primary care and specialist physicians, as well as licensed behavioral therapists and registered dietitians, to meet patients’ health and wellness needs. Amwell doctors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are dedicated to keeping you healthy – all from the comfort of your home.

It is so easy to get set up. I used my laptop to set up. It has an awesome testing system to make sure your device is compatible. This is a great site. It is so easy! You pick an actual doctor that you see and talk to.

It's not like sitting in a waiting room. Being in the comfort of your own home is so awesome. There is a time duration of 10-15 minutes for a doctors visit, 30 minutes for a dietitian, 45 minutes for a therapist. How awesome is that?! It's only $49 for the first visit!

It doesn't matter when you need a doctor, they are there for you. I don't know anyone with that kind of accessibility even with a regular office to visit. That is so great because sometimes I just don't feel good enough to drive. That's why I need a doctor

It's so great to not have to wait a week to be seen, I know there has been instances that by the time my doctor appointment came along, I wan't sick anymore. It's also a great thing to have if you're on vacation, out of town, or any other reason you might not be home. The doctors can call in prescriptions that you need so they can be filled right away.

It is so nice to be able to have the peace of mind of a real diagnosis instead of just guessing what might be going on.

You spent a few years post-college hitting all the beachfront party destinations (Cancun, Cozumel, The Bahamas). And the romantic spots (think Rome and Paris) should be saved for a trip a deux. Because as nice as it would be to believe a toddler will appreciate The Louvre, we aren’t fooling ourselves. But just because you’re traveling companions require naps, frequent snacks, and choose cartoons over culture, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great experience. Hey, sometimes it’s nice to have an excuse to leave the museum early. “Someone’s just feeling grumpy today.” (Yes, and it’s me.)

In an effort to embrace the wild world of travel with kids, we scoured this year’s best destinations to find the ones you AND the little ones will love. There are a few great locations that combine grownup interests with kid-friendly fun — and Sydney, Australia, is one of the best. Nailing down an itinerary that makes EVERYONE happy doesn’t get any easier than this.

1. Sydney Harbour Bridge

Built in 1932, the “Coathanger” is the world’s largest steel arch bridge. Architecture buffs will love seeing this bit of history — it’s one of the first landmarks immigrants to the nation would’ve seen when arriving in the harbor — and everyone will be swept away by the breathtaking vistas. Climb on your own, or take a guided tour.

Located in one of Mosman, one the city’s more upscale neighborhoods, a zoo trip offers great people- and real estate-watching in addition to close animal encounters. The Wild Ropes course and Lemur Forest Adventure are highlights. For serious animal lovers, the Roar and Snore, an overnight zoo stay, is can’t-miss.

3. Madame Tussaud’s

The Sydney outpost of the wax museum is home to historical figures like Captain Cook and Ned Kelly, leaders like Queen Elizabeth II and Barack Obama, and Marvel superheroes like Spider-Man and Wolverine. Kids eight and older can get a one-of-a-kind wax replica to take home.

Take the animal fun underwater at Sydney’s aquarium, which houses Australia’s largest collection of marine creatures. Adrenaline junkies-in-training can can swim with sharks through a safe, see-through enclosure, and budding marine biologists can spend a day behind the scenes with the team.

Little learners (and big ones) can get engaged with the museum’s interactive exhibits on science, technology, design, and history. Plan your trip around the Sydney Science Festival, August 13-23, for even more learning fun.

The modern building was inspired by a jigsaw puzzle, and represents the many intertwining cultures that comprise Australia’s identity and history. Explore various facets of the country through exhibits like, “Defining Moments,” “Landmarks,” “Eternity,” and more.

7. Sydney Tower and Skywalk

Want an excuse to shop? This tower tops the bustling Centrepoint mall. But, the Skywalk is an attraction all its own. It’s the highest point in the city, and the stunning glass-floored viewing platform had an unbeatable view of the metropolis. You can grab a bite at one of the restaurants, or take a virtual tour of the city in the 4D cinema show that highlights notable landmarks.

A famous surfing destination, Manly has some of Australia’s best waves. The beach is patrolled, and there’s a playground accessible for anyone who doesn’t fancy the water. Manly’s about a 30 minute ferry ride from Sydney’s Circular Quay, and has an electric BBQ for grilling, in addition to cafes and restaurants within walking distance, for when you’ve worked up an appetite.

The expansive grounds are open year round, and boast almost 20 theme gardens like the Begonia Garden, Rainforest Walk, Rare and Threatened Plants Garden, and Camellia Garden. There are free guided walks, and self-guided tours highlighting World War I and Aboriginal heritage.

10. Hyde Park

Named after London’s Hyde Park, this lush urban oasis is a sanctuary to office dwellers in the area, and home to several historical artifacts. It’s Australia’s oldest park and one of the most famous. Take a midday break at the Archibald Fountain, which commemorates the Australian-French alliance during WWI, and stop by the ANZAC Memorial, or take a break from your itinerary and enjoy picnic here after a trip to the adjacent Australian Museum.

The monument superseded the Sydney Harbour Bridge as Sydney’s most famous landmark when it was opened in 1973. Construction had begun in 1964. The venue hosts music performances of all varieties, plus dance and theater. If you’re not up for a show, you can tour the edifice with tours in seven languages, and even explore a special behind-the-scenes tour.

12. Bike Tours

For an active, fun way of taking in the sights, try one of the local bike tours. You can bike the Sydney Harbour Bridge, see the opera house and Hyde Park, or ride through the fish market along the waterfront.

Jul 29, 2015

We have never been so concerned
about the way we look. Nowadays, people are proactive about everything and they
are trying to eat healthier, protect their environment and their physical
appearance. Individuals are constantly striving to improve quality of their
life and change everything that can be changed. This is precisely why there are
so many cosmetic procedures available to us meant to refresh our looks and
eliminate all the flaws that we might have. Among various cosmetic procedures,
medical fillers stand out as the most advanced and at the same time, least
harmful.

Unlike
other treatments such as plastic surgery or botox, by injecting medical filler,
you are able to improve your looks without subjecting yourself to invasive
procedure or toxin. Furthermore, medical fillers are only using natural
substances that are otherwise produced within our body. Until recently, fillers
based on collagen were the most common. Having in mind that medical and
pharmaceutical industry is always progressing experts have found a better way
to treat folds and wrinkles. Today, drugs such as Juvederm that are based on
hyaluronic acid are the best solution to our problem.

Experts
from DoctorMedica.co emphasize
importance of hyaluronan for our skin. This substance has various roles within the
body from cell migration, to hydration and repairing lost tissue. From this, it
is obvious that this substance is crucial for youthful looks. This is precisely
how Juvederm works in our skin: by hydrating and filling it up. By using this
medicine, we are able to remove nasolabial folds, wrinkles that appear in the
corner of the mouth, mimic wrinkles, jaw, neck and cleavage
wrinkles. Also, medical fillers are great for face lifting. Some doctors
use it to plump up the lips. An important thing about medical fillers is that
it is completely safe. Furthermore, you are able to combine this procedure with
other type of cosmetic treatments in order to remove other imperfections.

As
previously mentioned, Juvederm is based on hyaluronan that comes in a form of
gel. After injecting it into the skin, you will not be able to tell the
difference compared to your natural tissue. Acid holds water and works as a
cushion. Treatment itself is very fast and painless. Doctor will prick your
skin a couple of times, in precise spots where you need correction. Drug lasts
for 9 months up to a year. After that, acid will be absorbed. Another positive
thing about medical fillers is that each subsequent treatment will prolong
expected duration of Juvederm within your skin. So, if you take additional shot
as soon as therapy fades, you are able to have even longer results the next
time.

Have
in mind that Juvederm is based on a natural substance. In that regard, body
will see it as a normal substance that should be present within the skin. It
won’t be rejected and it will not cause any side effects. The worst problem is
reaction of the skin to needle. Because of that, you can expect various skin
irritations in the following week after administering the drug.

Jul 28, 2015

Anyone can buy diapers and outfits as a baby shower gift, but what about those gifts that last forever? The ones that have real meaning behind them? I want to share with you all a few ideas for gifts that will last baby a lifetime.

The Gift of Knowledge

Books of all shapes, sizes, and topics make the perfect gift to encourage a lifelong love affair with the written word. The joy of reading is learned early. When you read to your child regularly, you nurture a love of books. There is no better time to begin, than when your baby is born. Story time with your newborn is more about sharing a special bond than reading, but this positive early experience may help your child develop a thirst for knowledge and a healthy attitude toward learning.

The Gift of Music

From gentle lullabies to classical compositions, early exposure to music may become another gift of a lifetime. When you play music for your baby, he learns the beauty of sound. Variety is important here. The more types of music your child hears, the more he learns to enjoy. Vocal and instrumental selections expose your baby to different qualities of music, as does playing a variety of musical genres – classical to calm, jazz to uplift, and so on. Who knows, your baby may even grow up to be a famous singer or musician someday.

The Gift of Touch

Infant massage and baby yoga classes give the gifts of healthy touch and movement. The classes provide a superb bonding opportunity for you and your baby, but they may also do a lot more. What people experience as young children goes a long way toward establishing who they become as adults. Infant massage may help babies learn about their bodies and healthy touch. It also facilitates a strong parent-child bond, which may improve your ability to maintain open communication with your child as he grows.

The Gift of Health

Perhaps a gift that you may not have ever thought about, what about the gift of health? Cord blood banking is one of the newest technologies that can ensure that baby is protected throughout their entire lives. Did you know that cord blood could literally save your child’s life? I didn’t realize this until I saw this video:

Why Stem Cells?

Medical professionals are learning more each day about fighting against disease using our own body’s natural resources. A stem cell is a single cell that can replicate itself or differentiate into many different types of cells. Our bodies are made up of hundreds of specialized cells that develop into specific organs, tissues, neurons… everything! Stem cells are the raw material that everything in your body starts out as.

There’s three different ways to harvest stem cells: bone marrow, which can be painful for the donor; embryonic stem cells, which has a lot of controversy around it; and cord blood stem cells. Cord blood stem cells can be harvested quickly and painlessly right after birth, processed in a lab, and then cryogenically frozen.

CariCord offers cord blood banking at the Stem Cell Bank at the University of Colorado, an FDA-Licensed Cord Blood Manufacturer. You don’t have to worry about whether or not your baby’s cord blood will be available when they need it with CariCord because they’re located in Anschutz Medical Center at the University of Colorado.

Think Cord Blood Banking is unaffordable? CariCord offers personalized payment options that are interest free, no administrative fees or credit approval needed. You can save thousands by banking with CariCord.

Join us in the conversation about cord blood banking on Twitter -

July 30th at 7pm CST using the hashtag #CariCord

CariCord is also offering an opportunity to win $2,000 worth of baby gear! Visit their site to get your free cord blood banking information kit and to enter. Click the picture below to check it out:

Learn more about cord blood banking at the CariCord.com. You can also find more information about CariCord by calling: 844-227-4267

The flavors and styles from the craft brewing movement meet mainstream productions in Denver, and the result is a win for beer lovers. The Denver Beer Triangle--as it's been named--encompasses Denver as well as Boulder and Colorado Springs. Hotels in Denver can serve as your base for exploration.

Full Calendar of Festivals

This area knows how to celebrate good suds. From weekend
events high in the mountains, neighborhood brewery parties and big events like Denver Beer Fest,
there's plenty of fun to be had. The granddaddy of them all is the Great
American Beer Festival, with over 3,000 offerings available
to sample.

Cross the Divide

With numerous international awards over the years, Great
Divide Brewery has established itself as a must for beer fans visiting Denver.
You're just a few blocks away when you stay at the Oxford Hotel
downtown. Take a walk over to the tap room and sample the greatness.

The Mega-Micro

Tour the
world's largest single-site brewery at the giant Coors
Brewery in Golden. Next, head to Coors Field in Denver inside the park's
tasting room to sample the craft Belgian tastes of Blue Moon, a smaller niche
brew owned by MillerCoors. The CrawfordHotel features a luxurious hotel experience and is just a
short walk away.

Brewery District

The part of the city locals call RiNo, for River North, is
an old warehouse district quickly becoming a hotbed for great craft brewing.
Great Divide will be opening a location here, and they'll be joining around 10
existing brewhouses, with more in the works. The interestingly-named Our Mutual Friend is one of the
neighborhood's anchors and is more than worthy of a try.

Head Down the Trail

The Denver Beer
Trail will take you to more than 20 breweries to get a
wide-spectrum take on what the Mile-High City has to offer beer lovers. You'll
be able to sample distinct flavors like Graham Cracker Porter and Colorado Red
Ale. Stay a little out of downtown at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Denver Stapleton North and save some Beer Trail
spending money.

There's no question Denver should be on every beer lover's
visit list. The sheer variety of options and local flavors mean a great
adventure awaits.

Dreamy Bamboo Sheet Set Giveaway

These sheets are so incredibly soft and wonderful! Bamboo is a sustainable fiber that is breathable and wicks away moisture so you never feel over heated. You get into bed and are ready for dreamland, they feel nice on your skin and wash up beautifully! Cariloha is sponsoring this giveaway for our readers so that you have a chance to try these sheets. You can read all about the Cariloha Bamboo Sheets in review here.

Participating bloggers were not compensated and are not responsible for this giveaway.No purchase required to enter this giveaway and there is a limit of one entrant per household. Void where prohibited. All entries are optional. A new winner will be chosen if the original winner(s) has not responded within 48 hours of email notification. Tales From A Southern Mom is not responsible for shipment of the prize(s). Sponsor is responsible for all shipping this prize. This giveaway is not administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or other social media outlet. This is posted in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Any questions, email julie.talesfromasouthernmom@gmail.com

Jul 26, 2015

Calgary is well known for having one of the youngest
populations in the country, and the city's vast array of kid-friendly things to
do reflects that it is a place that takes family fun seriously. No matter what time
of year you visit, you are sure to find something fun to entertain the kids.
You might also want to stay at a hotel in Calgary
that is located in the heart of the city so you stay close to all the
family-friendly activities.

Fort Calgary

Fort Calgary is open daily and helps bring the area's
history to life with a variety of events. The national historic site covers
more than 40 acres. You should make sure everyone in the family is wearing a
comfortable pair of shoes, because the kids will want to explore every corner
of the fascinating historic fort. There is an interpretive and learning center
with active, hands-on exhibits.

The QuaintCottage Home sits near Fort Calgary and provides guests with
access to a communal kitchen, which is a benefit if you are traveling with
children.

Calgary Zoo

The Calgary Zoo lets you get up close and personal with over
1,000 animals. You will have the chance to travel back in time when you explore
their Prehistoric Park with life-size dinosaurs. Your children are sure to have
a memorable day when they come face-to-face with a T-Rex. To cool off, explore
the Penguin Plunge, where you can watch the antics of the resident penguin
flock.

The Delta BowValley Hotel is located in the downtown area of Calgary and
is a short drive from the zoo. The 25-story hotel has a fully staffed concierge
who will be happy to assist you with planning your day at the zoo or any other
event for your family.

Calaway Park

The kids are sure to love Calaway Park's 32
adrenaline-fueled rides. If it's a hot day, you can cool off riding the park's
log ride, Timber Falls, where there's a chance you may get splashed. The Vortex
roller coaster will take you upside down at high speeds for several loops, and
it's guaranteed to thrill both young and old.

The InternationalHotel Calgary is located in proximity to Calaway Park and
houses 248 rooms. The kids will enjoy taking a dip in the indoor pool while the
adults may want to utilize the 24-hour fitness facility.

Family fun abounds in Calgary. It doesn't matter if you are
spending a holiday in the thriving metropolis or an extended family vacation,
you are sure to find exciting things for everyone in your family.